Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali. Their eating was legendary. © Fred R. Conrad/NYT
Over the years, I have become used to seeing my old college friend Joe Bastianich on the Today Show recommending wine or being written about in the New York Times (three stars for his restaurant Babbo Enoteca with Mario Batali) or winning awards. He and Mario won the James Beard Foundation’s prestigious Outstanding Restaurateur award this year. In the world of food and wine, Joe is a force of nature.
But, because of his job, he was vulnerable to these very forces. He ate and drank with abandon, and as he approached 40, he wasn’t happy with where he was headed. According to Christine Yi’s NY Times article:
“[the overeating] nearly broke him two years ago. Faced with a diagnosis of sleep apnea
and the dread of having to sleep with a breathing mask for the rest of
his life, Bastianich began running. Then, a year ago, he decided to run
a marathon.”
And this weekend, he will be running the New York City Marathon, on track to finish in 3:43. Of all of Joe’s accomplishments, this might be the most impressive.
Deanna, Olivia + Ethan in the kitchen as Joe prepares for his morning run. © Douglas Healey/NYT
There are thousands of ways Joe could have handled his self-described “mid-life crisis,” gorgonzola, Chianti, fusilli, pig jowls, truffle oil, to name a few. Instead he put on the running shoes and hit the pavement.
Joe’s dog Quattro: “Hey, where’d all the snacks go?”
Congratulations, Joe and good luck with the race!
OK, I am off to spin class. Our Boston College 20 year reunion is in May and Joe has set the bar very high.
Leave a Reply